folder 24: Autobiography of Charles A. Hentz, Part I

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written, has spoken kindly of him & said he was a good boy -- I do not wish you to speak of this of course -- but we shall send for him immediately & place him in the Military Institute with Charley -- I am sorry he was ever separated from him -- Charles boards at Institute -- & only visits us -- He looks quite soldier-like in his cadet uniform & is very happy with Mr Byington, to whom he is very much attached -- Mr B____ is much liked here, is thought handsome, agreeable & intelligent -- He comes here as often as Charley & seems as much at home -- We are getting gradually & nicely fixed -- I wish you could just stop in tonight & see us -- We have the "prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy" -- It is newly plastered & painted & carpeted -- & my old curtains are hanging up at the windows a' la Tuskaloosa -- We received this afternoon two dozen chairs from Montgomery -- one of our curled maple, open cane bottomed ones, very beautiful & handsome set of windsor ones -- It is a luxury to get new furniture -- We have also, a very handsome new piano, which a lady, in the vicinity wished to sell, on a year's credit -- This was a convenience to us, as we have been obliged to pay out a great deal of ready money -- I bought all our parlour furniture with the money, I got for my stories. which was very apropos at this time -- Did you not know that Miss Pratt was coming to be our music teacher? -- We are looking for her soon - & are very anxious for her arrival as our school is filling fast -- We have already between forty & fifty scholars -- Only four of them are boarders, but we hear of others coming -- Everyone says that we shall have

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as many as we can possibly accommodate -- We have commenced another -- school-room already -- The stock-holders allow Mr. N to lay out all the interest of the money, in finishing the place which was all the rent required -- so it is really no expense to us.-- I had the same impression that you expressed, that we should find the girls here rude & unpolished -- but on the contrary, they are as docile & manageable as any I ever saw -- so far -- I am delighted with them -- I have but to speak -- & it is done -- and I do assure you -- I am resolved to keep up this authority, for the more I teach, the more I am convinced that good discipline is the vital principle of an Institution of learning -- We really have some most charming, intelligent & loveable children -- Among them, one little curiosity -- a girl of eleven, not taller than Bell, with a head as large as mine -- When seated, she is taller than most children but when walking or running she looks like a duck -- She is a most amiable, affectionate & good child & looks at you, as if she begged you to love her -- Fortunately her parents are wealthy & the other children seem fond of her -- Miss Fellows, the lady, who assists us, I find extremely pleasant & efficient -- She seems to have an uncommonly uniform, placid temper, & a faculty of teaching & controlling, which few possess -- She was educated at Mrs Willards Seminary, for a teacher -- She is not young & is very fond of children -- By the way, Mrs W. is going to visit this place, while on her southern tour -- Have you ever seen her? -- I shall be glad to have an opportunity

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talking together, on some interesting topic, she would come in, some how or other, before we were aware of it? -- I mean as a subject of conversation -- So it is even now -- I sometimes think her mothers fears are true, & that she is not perfectly in her senses -- She told me in a letter, that she had a beautiful bonnet, a present from Willy, bought with the money which he received from his cards -- I must tell you, what she wrote me about her interviews with Mr. Meek, in Mobile -- But you must be sure & say nothing of it to any one but Mr Stafford, for you know how everything said about her is repeated & it might come back to her ears, so only, entre nous -- She said she had long wished to have a private conversation with him & that she requested it -- She solicited his influence for Mr L. in washington & solicited his sympathy & kindness for herself -- He asked her, if it was money she wanted, for he regretted much, that his long journey had drained his purse -- but if she needed assistance in that way & would address him at Washington, she should certainly receive it -- Surely it would be no harm to worship her, for there is nothing like her on the earth -- or under the sun -- Cally received a packet from Willy today containing a beautiful collection of music I do really feel an interest in that boy & sincerely wish that more suspicious influences presided over his opening mind, for it is a very bright one There was a note from his mother in the same packet, in the same envelope, in which she says, she expects to go to New Orleans soon-, but was making a few visits more in

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of being acquainted with so distinguished a lady --

Have I told you yet, what a treasure we have in our young minister? -- You did not hear him preach, I remember, but perhaps Mr Stafford did -- He is a very close student & preached sermons that are a rich intellectual as well as spiritual feast -- Then he has a remarkably solemn & impressive manner, for one so young -- He delivers, every Sunday afternoon -- his historical lectures on the old Testament, which are very interesting & instructive -- I told you that our school room was the Presbyterian church at present -- We have a singing choir which meets every Friday night -- & some very fine music we have -- Mr Hoyt was a sweet, powerful voice himself & can raise a tune, almost as well as Mr Graham -- Mr Hentz says he has never heard sermons he likes as well as Mr Hoyt's -- I am sure Mr Stafford would like him -- He never attacks other denominations, he never scolds but impresses deeply & burningly on the heart the awful truths of revelation -- There is a pious old lady here, who says she has been praying for years, that God would send them a Pastor, after his own heart, -- & that God has sent him now -- Does Mr White's influence in the church increase? -- Do you think he will meet the souls wants of his people? You know, we write for ourselves, not others & can say all that rises in the heart without fear of exposure. Is not that the covenant? -- My dear Mrs S_____ does not some one remind you of Thitty's relations? -- "The cry is still they come --" -- You recollect how often when we were

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studies -- The new piano seems to have had the effect of inspiration on her musical talents, for she practises a great deal & has improved in proportion -- We have an excellent housemaid, the woman of Mrs Brevard's, which I mentioned, who can keep everything in the nicest order, so I think even Mrs L. would be satisfied with our housekeeping establishment -- We have been fortunate in getting well-trained servants -- One of the best washers I ever knew & very good cook -- Servant hire is considerably lower here than in Tuskaloosa --

You must now be reconciled to Sally's maternity, since it gives you such a resource, for little Alice -- I am sorry you cannot nurse her yourself, for it is a sacrifice for a mother, to yield to another, one of nature's holiest offices-- She must be a beauty, with her sweet,rosy cheeks -- So precocious too, to have teeth so soon -- I suppose Bell & Fred think she is perfection, & love her almost to death -- Bell I imagine, is got far beyond the snow dog by this time -- I should like to hear the progress of her studies -- & of Fred's elocution Does he speak plainer & I wish I could see his little, sunny countenance -- & hear his musical attempts at speech --

I am glad you are reconciled to the removal of the Capitol -- What effect do you think it will have on the University? -- Some imagine it will injure its prosperity, but the legislators manifsted so little interest in the cause of education, I do not see that their presence or absence can be of any consequence to your Institution -- The people here think it will be of advantage to Tuskegee -- The Montgomerians